Aherindale

The Hamlet of Aherindale
Anti-Magick Circle
Sovereignty:	Ithaqua
Marcach:	Sylina
Shadowriders:	Zerin

Located in the northwestern reaches of the wavering Bardosi Plains is the hamlet of Aherindale. A humble, genial society of Tanari, the people of Aherindale delight in festival, but their prevailing passion is horses. Skirting the main walled village live three separate clans of expert horse breeders, each with their own forte. Clan Zharn's specialty is hulking, capably trained warhorses, while their polar opposite is Clan Morgaine, whose equines excel in both beauty and performance. The oldest and most exacting clan is Clan Swiftin, their meticulous methods of tracing lineage to ensure optimum bloodlines producing some of the fastest mounts in the realm.

Aherindale produces and sells crops and livestock commodities.

Landmarks

• The shop of the farrier - Owned and operated by Nhedu, this shop sells:
  • a sleek horsehair whip
  • a pair of blackened iron spurs
  • wind chimes crafted of horsehoes
  • a whimsical child's rockinghorse
  • a trailing black horsetail

Notable Denizens

• Ahmor, the Clanchief of Aherindale - Although rapidly approaching the latter years of life, this stately man nevertheless easily retains his boyishly handsome looks and overall aura of prime strength. Flaxen hair streaked with gray is neatly combed and falls about his broad shoulders, while a matching goatee graces his attractive face. His warm brown eyes convey a sense of wisdom infused with kindness, and the corners of his eyes are laced with deep laugh-lines. His clothing is unassuming yet simultaneous regal, as a large hand rests upon the ornate hilt of the longsword hanging from his side.

• Nhedu, the farrier of Aherindale - Her petite frame is clothed in an ensemble of leather dyed the deepest black, from the boots that reach to tightly sheathe her calves to the taut pants and matching sleeveless, metal-studded vest she wears. Glossy obsidian hair has been trimmed to fall just below her jaw line and the darkness of it surrounds her face beautifully, a worthy accompaniment to expressive eyes that watch everything intently through dark irises.

Clan Morgaine

• Ghertrude of Clan Morgaine - Ample swells and faultless curves have been expertly assembled to form this Tanari female's sumptuous body, clearly evident beneath the flowing golden cotehardie she wears. Her naturally striking face has been attractively enhanced with delicate cosmetics, from the rich russet tint that augments her glistening lips to the smoky liner that frames her scintillating mossy-green eyes. Vibrant locks of lustrous copper-red hair falls about in spiraling ringlets, as portions of her thick tresses are pinned elegantly up atop her head via golden filigree hairpins set with citrine.

• Marein of Clan Morgaine - Short of stature and bearing pert features, this female is dressed elaborately in a showy costume complete with a flowing white cape and top hat. Gold jewelry of every sort adorns her deeply tanned flesh; flesh that is more than abundantly exposed by the low-cut bodice and diminutive skirt she wears. The top of her reddish-brown hair has been cut short to allow it to curl playfully about her pleasingly painted face, while the back meanders down to nearly her thighs in a thick braid bound at its end by a shimmering golden band.

Clan Swiftin

• Kiran of Clan Swiftin - Everything about this male's appearance is gentle and humble, from his modest attire to the pensive expression that graces his kind face. His sandy brown hair falls to the shoulders of his plain green tunic in sleekly brushed waves, as a neatly trimmed beard blankets his prominent jaw. Tall and lithe, his long arms end in equally long fingers while the structure of his legs gives the impression that he could run like the wind if so possessed.

• Kiranna of Clan Swiftin - Long of limb and tall of stature, this female exudes an air of supreme athleticism. A sinuous muscle structure can easily be seen rippling beneath the fabric of her tight green pants and tunic, while her placid face bears a strong jaw line and a slightly larger than normal nose. Her sandy brown hair flows like a wind-tousled horse's mane down to the middle of her back, occasional locks of it having been braided together with emerald ribbons.

Clan Zharn

• Ogden of Clan Zharn - This tanari man's massive frame is draped with bulky muscle, then moreover covered with skin that bears numerous ragged scars and the swirling indigo stains of woad. From his bulky red leather boots to the top of his bald shaven head is well over six and one half feet, his height not nearly as impressive as his brawny girth. From the chin of his wide face trails a nearly foot-long goatee that has been elaborately braided into three tails, the middle braid dangling an inch or so below its brethren. The hair of his goatee is a deep reddish-brown akin to the unsettling hue of dried blood, while the irises of his penetrating eyes are a deep, dark brown.

Flora and Fauna

• a diminutive fluffy dog - Looking more like an explosion of hair with legs than a dog, this mutt is interesting to behold. Fur the color of creamed coffee covers this canine, the individual hairs thick and prone to standing on end. Its tubby body is rounded and bears a tiny head, while a tiny stub of a tail can barely be seen. Sticking up from the mass of fur upon its head are a pair of triangular ears, the mini appendages presiding over black beady eyes and a pug nose of rosy pink. A diminutive fluffy dog does not look particularly dangerous. It weighs about 15 pounds.

• a wolfish hound - This large canine resembles the wolves of the wild, more so than a simple dog. His thick pelt is a silvery white tipped in black, the effect lending him an overall dark gray appearance. His smallish eyes are close-set and ever watchful, his gaze almost unnervingly predatory. Black-tipped ears and a matching bushy tail complete his form, the upper corner of his right ear missing from a previous misadventure. A wolfish hound seems to be unafraid. It weighs about 37 pounds.

• a large slobbery dog - Although he is immense, awkward and seemingly ill proportioned, this sorrowful tan pooch nonetheless is an adorable specimen due to his strange appearance. Thick, draping lips hang down from the sides of his muzzle, tendrils of drool continuously dripping from their corners. His floppy ears hang down on either side of his pronounced round head, and his expressive brown eyes convey nothing but a sense of kindness. His long tail is thick and lacks structure, the flailing appendage whipping about haphazardly. A large slobbery dog seems to be unafraid. It weighs about 125 pounds.

• a muted quail - This smallish bird features a minute head presiding over a chubby body, having evidently been breed for an abundance of meat. The feathers of its body are a dull mix of muted browns and gray, while the throat and upper breast feature pointed feathers of a black-stripped cinnamon. A muted quail is a humble-looking creature. It weighs about 3 pounds.

• a prismatic peacock - Standing about two feet in height, the sapphire body of this breathtaking fowl is topped by a pointed, beaked head that is crowned by a showy crest. The bird trails behind it a massive tail comprised of an overabundance of iridescent feathers, the bases of the lengthy feathers a shimmering copper-red that rises forth to end in a burst of opalescent blue-green bearing a black eye. A prismatic peacock is a humble-looking creature. It weighs about 12 pounds.

• a miniature smoky dun pony - Bearing a coat of a distinctive smoky, grayish brown with black socks, tail and mane, this tiny pony is beautiful to behold. Her small, compact body rests on short, powerful legs, promising an incredible amount of endurance. A handsome, proudly lifted head boasts a well-defined jaw and good width between large, intelligent eyes. Her mane is long and straight, a veritable waterfall of black hair falling over one sloping shoulder, and the tail is lifted high, appearing to be a black fountain gently flowing upwards before quickly falling straight down in a silky stream. This diminutive equine has been adorned with a flashy black saddle and matching bridle that is heavily adorned with silver accents, while silver ribbons tipped with tiny silver bells are braided into her tail. A miniature smoky dun pony seems strong and confident. It weighs about 850 pounds.

• a strapping buckskin mare - Solid and long of leg, this body of this vigorous horse is a pale gold as she stands about sixteen hands tall. Black socks extend well above the knee, and her matching mane and tail are long, with a healthy sheen. The excellent conformation of the back and shoulders indicate the horse owns a great deal of stamina and strength. Intelligent eyes peer forth from a medium sized head bearing a large rounded jaw, while her long muzzle ends in a covering of velvety black skin. The lean, yet solid musculature evident in her legs and hips promise a surprising agility and quickness. A strapping buckskin mare is quite powerful. It weighs about 1250 pounds.

• a sinuous sorrel gelding - A lithe body supported by long, agile legs, this flawless equine specimen is built for speed. A smooth brown coat that is tinged with red covers his supple form, the matching mane and tail only a scant touch darker in hue. His well-manicured hooves are a deep brown in color, and each has been fitted with a modest silver shoe. A sinuous sorrel gelding is quite powerful. It weighs about 900 pounds.

• a silvery piebald pony - The steely gray coat of this piebald pony is peppered with a multitude of black spots, while his long ebony tail and mane are flowing, and well groomed. The pony's muzzle and the tips of his ears are shaded black as well, and he has feathered socks to match. Standing about fourteen hands high at the withers, this well-muscled pony holds himself as proud as any horse several hands taller. His well laid back and sloping shoulders promise a smooth and comfortable ride, and the deep brown eyes within the small head and straight profile evidence a ready intelligence. A silvery piebald pony is not one to be trifled with. It weighs about 850 pounds.

• a massive warhorse - Standing over nineteen hands at the withers, this massive horse is both brawny and elegant. Broad and deep throughout the chest and shoulders, he bears a long, straight back and fairly level croup, and is obviously strong enough to bear the heaviest of loads with relative ease and a comfortable seat. His head, held proudly at the top of a gracefully arched neck, is quite broad, with eyes that are prominent and gleam brightly with a bold spirit. His obsidian-coloured coat gleams like polished glass, and his thick mane and tail are cropped close and even. A massive warhorse is quite powerful. It weighs about 2100 pounds.

Quests and Activities

• The Clan Favours of Aherindale - Ahmor offers you the possibility of earning the gratitude of the hamlet, if you're willing to earn the favours of each of the three Clans of Aherindale.
• The Favour of Clan Zharn - Ogden of Clan Zharn requires a new set of silver spurs for one of his warhorses.
• The Favour of Clan Swiftin - Kiranna of Clan Swiftin simply needs the answer to a riddle that has been puzzling her.
• The Favour of Clan Morgaine - Marein of Clan Morgaine needs you to retrieve the horse named Pepper so that she can resume training it.